QR678 in Bangalore

Are you suffering from hair loss and alopecia? Are you looking for effective ways of hair regrowth treatment? Then, go ahead with the QR678 treatment. The QR678 is a cutting-edge hair growth therapy that targets affected areas of baldness. The QR678 formulation is named after “Quick Response to a disease which earlier has no answer”. The treatment has been extensively researched and proven solution for hair loss as per the clinical studies.

QR678 Hair Loss Treatment

The QR678 for hair fall is approved by the FDA – as a minimally invasive treatment for hair regrowth. QR678 is an Indian FDA-approved formulation which has received India Patent and USA Patent. It has given remarkable results to over 10K patients. It improves the greater amount hair density and thickness. The QR678 therapy involves formulating the hair growth solution directly injected into the scalp to stimulate dormant hair follicles and hair regrowth. It is a bioengineered recombinant formulation consisting of a unique combination of growth factors and peptides, which works together to rejuvenate the hair follicles and promotes new hair growth. This advanced hair treatment has positively shown permanent and natural-looking hairs for individuals suffering from alopecia.

Addressing Solutions for Your Hair Loss Concerns

QR678 is a revolutionary hair regrowth treatment that addresses the root causes of your hair loss concerns as follows:

• Hair Loss & Balding
• Alopecia Areata
• Androgenetic Alopecia
• Post-chemotherapy Hair Loss
• Post-Pregnancy Hair Loss
• Female Pattern Baldness
• PCOS related Hair Loss
• Seborrhoeic Dermatitis of Scalp
• Post-Chemotherapy Hair Loss
• Post-COVID Hair Fall

QR678 Advantages

QR678 treatment for hair loss provides numerous benefits over traditional hair restoration surgery. The prominent advantage of QR678 is a pain-free, non-invasive treatment that requires no downtime or recovery period. Some of the of the QR678 Advantages are listed below:

• Non-invasive & non-surgical procedure
• Quick & Effective Procedure (single session takes 15 minutes)
• No side-effects
• Increases high hair visibility
• Strengthens your hair shaft
• Over 90% success rate
• It offers better results than PRP treatment
• Patent and approved in 10+ countries
• 12+ clinical trials proving efficacy

Why choose QR678 Hair Treatment?

• QR678 has shown advantageous outcomes in the treatment of various conditions of alopecia, encompassing androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, and hormonally-induced hair loss.
• Results are encouraging with thick and natural hairs after the treatment.
• The QR678 is formulated with a combination of nutrients, vitamins, and proteins, resulting in growth factors and minimizing adverse reactions.
• Results are progressive, and you can witness hair improvement gradually.

Treatment Procedure

• Duration of the procedure will be 15 mins and can last a maximum of 30 mins
• Resume your normal activities after the procedure
• Usually done with or without anaesthetic creams
• Treatment is applicable both for males and females
• Requires 6 to 10 sessions fortnightly or monthly
• Results in the first session of 3 weeks
• Immediate recovery
• Minor side effects – slight pain and tenderness

Consultation for QR678 Hair Treatment in Bangalore

Consulting with an experienced cosmetics and dermatologist will help you find the best solution. For QR678 Hair Fall Treatment in Whitefield, Bangalore, you connect at Advanced Dermatology Center for suitable hair restoration therapy. 

HIFU Laser in Bangalore

As the advancement of medical techniques for aesthetics continues to refine skincare, a High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) laser treatment has gained notable attention. It’s a non-invasive procedure and a transformative approach to skin rejuvenation.

What is HIFU laser treatment?

A HIFU laser treatment, also known as Ultherapy, focuses on ultrasound energy to target intense levels of the skin. The heat generated through ultrasound targets those layers of the skin causing laxity and wrinkles. Collagen is stimulated, which aids in providing structure and elasticity to the skin. It then regenerates the skin to be tighter, firmer, and the skin to be more youthful. This revolutionary HIFU skin tightening treatment is helpful for sagging skin, tightening loose skin, and reducing the signs of ageing. Overall, it enhances the aesthetic appearance of the skin.

HIFU Ultraformer III laser – A High Performing Device

The introduction of HIFU Ultraformer III laser is a non-invasive cosmetic device offering a customizable treatment. It utilizes a high-intensity focused ultrasound to tighten and contour the skin around the face, neck, and body. The Ultraformer III laser is FDA-approved and a clinically proven device to deliver consistent and long-lasting results. It is a safe and reliable option for individuals looking to rejuvenate their skin and achieve a youthful complexion.

Benefits of HIFU Laser Treatment

• Reduction of Wrinkles & Fine Lines

Rejuvenate skin texture for a fresh & youthful appearance.

• Tightening & Sagging Skin

A specialized treatment tightens and uplifts your skin.

• Precise & Customizable

Enables practitioners to target specific areas of skin accurately.

• Non-Invasive & Painless

HIFU laser treatment is a painless and non-surgical treatment with minimal downtime.

• Long-Lasting Results

Collagen production gradually enhances skin elasticity & firmness for up to 2 years.

Is HIFU laser treatment right for You?

Individuals experiencing mild to moderate skin laxity, fine lines, and wrinkles. However, it may not be recommended for those with severe sagging or seeking more dramatic results. Before undergoing treatment, you can consult with your experience cosmetic doctor for HIFU skin tightening in Whitefield, Bangalore.

HIFU procedure

Before the start of the procedure, your doctor will assess your medical history and any treatment is conducted, including dental treatment. Some of the medicines like Isotretinoin should be avoided.

During the Procedure, the targeted areas are cleaned thoroughly. If any makeup or skin care products are applied will be removed as well. Topical anaesthesia is used to carry out the procedure. The ultrasound gel is applied, and the HIFU laser devices are placed against the skin. With the help of the ultrasound viewer, the device is adjusted to the required settings. The energy is transmitted to target the specific area for a duration of 30 to 90 minutes. The device is then removed and the area is cleaned.

Post-Treatment Care

Once the session is complete, you can immediately resume your regular activities. Practitioners typically provide guidelines for skincare and sun protection to optimize your results.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the HIFU Ultraformer III laser treatment in Bangalore is an advanced solution to sagging skin. It’s non-invasive, transformative, and offers skin rejuvenation with long-lasting results. By using ultrasound energy, HIFU treatment targets problem areas such as laxity and wrinkles, stimulating collagen to provide structure and elasticity to the skin. With this innovative technology, you can achieve firmer, tighter, and more youthful-looking skin. If you are looking for a professional HIFU laser treatment in Whitefiled Bangalore, the Dr Sunaina’s clinic is definitely worth considering.

There is nothing more frightening than being ill while being away from home. Travel to exotic destinations can be exciting; but the thought of native illnesses in a foreign land can be daunting. Travel can also be challenging in special circumstances like pregnancy or disability. Read on and learn how to sail through your journey in perfect health and good spirits.

Illness can strike any time, so it is wise to take adequate precaution even during short trips. One needs to be more cautious and well prepared for long periods of foreign journey. In this issue, let me help you with some advise on safe travel and self-help tips in case you do fall ill.

1) Research your destination.

Even your doctor may not know of any recent health scares, alerts or disease outbreaks in each and every country so scour the local news channels online.

2) Carry a first aid kit.
A basic readymade first-aid kit may be available in some pharmacies. But if you can’t find one, then you can make your own kit. Here are some of the items a basic first aid kit should entail (you can add or delete some items based on the length of your trip or pre-existing illnesses and allergies)-
(a) A first aid manual. Buy one from your local chemist or family physician. Or download and print out a pdf from the net.
(b) Bandaids, medical gauze pad, roller bandage, crepe bandage and small scissor.
(c) Savlon and hand sanitizer
(d) Antiseptic ointment like Bactroban for cuts and injuries
(e) Painkiller like Tylenol
(f) Paracetamol
(g) Antihistamine like Benadryl
(h) Oral Rehydration Salts
(i) Hydrocortisone 1% ointment for bites and sunburns
(j) Anti-diarrhoea medicine like Imodium
(k) Laxative like Lactulose tablets
(l) Disposable latex gloves
(m) Thermometer
(n) Aspirin tablets
(o) Antacids
(p) Antibiotics- Ciprofloxacin and Ofloxacin combination pills are a good choice.

(3) Other miscellaneous items to pack in a travel health kit may include sunscreen, insect repellent cream containing DEET, extra pair of glasses or contact lens, ear plugs, saline eye drops, mosquito net and/or iodine based water purification tablets (to be avoided if you are a pregnant traveler).

(4) Get travel health insurance and carry it with you at all times, along with some form of identification (like a copy of your passport) and contact card (with the name and address of your hotel, and name of your contact-in-case-of-emergency person). Your regular medical insurance may not cover medical expenses incurred abroad, so travel insurance is a must.

(5) Eat & Drink safely – When in doubt, always insist on having bottled water for drinking and cooking. Stay away from raw or rare meats and under-cooked sea food (oysters, shellfish etc). Do not eat raw fruits and vegetables unless they have been washed first. Only eat food that has been cooked and served piping hot. The rule is boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it! Always wash your hands before you eat, or use hand sanitizer if clean water is unavailable. Bring water to a rolling boil for a few minutes to ensure safety. If that’s not possible then use water filtration tablets, and do not swallow water from showers, pools, ponds or the ocean. Avoid ice cubes in your drink and stay away from street food. Do not ever walk bare foot, even on a beach.

(6) Get a physical examination – This is especially important in case of foreign travel. Meet your physician at least 4-6 weeks before your departure, as certain vaccinations need at least a few weeks time to provide effective protection. Other vaccinations to consider would include the flu shot, tetanus shot, Hepatitis-A and anti-rabies vaccination.

(7) Immunizations and Prophylactic medication – It is mandatory to get certain vaccinations like the yellow fever vaccination before you enter certain countries. If you are visiting a malaria prone tropical country, then contact your physician who will put you on prophylactic medication. Contact your embassy in the destination country for more information.

(8) Beware of motor vehicle accidents – It can be nerve-wrecking to drive in a foreign country if you are unfamiliar with the right hand or left hand side steering wheel. Traffic regulations are not followed meticulously in several Asian countries which can add to the chaos. Always wear a helmet even if its not considered mandatory in your destination country. Infants must always be placed in a car seat.

Now what are the most common ailments to strike during travel and how does one cope with them?

Jet lag – Starting several days prior to travel, slowly adjust your sleep schedule to match the time zone of the location you will be travelling to. Flying eastward and resetting your body clock forward is more difficult than flying westward and adding hours to your day. Avoid caffeine for at least a week before your date of departure. Stay well hydrated and eat lightly throughout your flight. Some people have benefited from the Argonne or Dr Ehret’s anti jet lag diet. The hormone Melatonin is still considered controversial and is best avoided.

Traveler’s Diarrhoea – This can be avoided if you follow the ‘eat and drink safely’ tips mentioned above. But if you do get hit, then drink plenty of oral rehydration fluids (1/4 to 1/2 cup after each diarrhoea for kids below 2, 1/2 to 1 cup after each diarrhoea for kids between 2-12 years and as much as you need if you’re over the age of 12). Contact a doctor in case of fever, mucus in stool, jaundice or persistent vomiting.

Sun Safety & Heat Exhaustion – Dress for the weather. Do not over-expose as covered skin rarely gets burnt. Stay hydrated, plan regular breaks in the shade, do not over eat, cut back on alcohol and caffeine, and use a high SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen. Watch out for sun burns, dizziness, decreased urine output, headaches, nausea and/or extreme thirst. Drink plenty of oral rehydration fluid if you experience any of these symptoms and consult a medical professional for further attention.

Motion sickness – Wear a seat belt to stay steady, take a tablet of Avomine one hour before travel, go to sleep, avoid reading, do not look out of the window of a moving vehicle, do not over-eat and avoid spicy food during travel. Carry your own sickness bag. In a car, take the front passenger’s seat. On an air plane, ask for a seat in the front where the turbulence is less. On a train, take a seat near the window; and on a ship, request a cabin in the middle of the ship. If you become ill, munch on some salted crackers or have a soda to settle your queasy stomach. Try an accupressure wrist band.

Altitude sickness – At high altitudes, decreased oxygen in the air can lead to symptoms like headache, fatigue, nausea and breathlessness. Start slowly by beginning with an altitude below 2500 meters. Rest a day after arriving to adjust to the altitude. Slow down if you feel out of breath. Do not climb more than 3000 feet a day (or 1000 feet if you’re at 12,000 feet or above). Try to spend the night at a lower altitude to get a good night’s rest. And consider medication like Diamox to ease the symptoms.

Protection from mosquitoes and other insect bites – Stay in well screened rooms. Carry your own mosquito net, preferably one that is pre-treated with insecticide. Use insect repellent but ensure that they are approved for use in children. Do not apply on cuts or spray directly to your face. Use mosquito repellent liquid electrics. Do a quick manual search for bed bugs before you use hotel furniture. These look like little black (or rusty red) seeds. Look under the mattress especially along the seams. Stay away from stray animals.

Special precautions during air travel – Stand up and stretch periodically, flex your ankles, then press your toes against the floor. This will avoid formation of blood clots in your legs during long flight. Deep vein thrombosis can be a life-threatening condition. If you suffer from varicose veins, considering wearing compression stockings. To avoid ear pain during ascent or descent- yawn, chew gum, suck on a hard candy, take a deep breath and then exhale slowly through pursed lips.

Travelers with special needs – If you suffer from a chronic illness and need to carry medication, medical devices and/or needles and syringes, then make sure to carry your doctor’s prescription (which includes the drug generic name as well) for 90 days of medication, along with a note from your doctor explaining about your illness and the need for such device or needles. Leave medication in their original containers. Wear a medical alert bracelet if you suffer from epilepsy or allergies. If you are travelling to another country for medical care or surgery (i.e, as a medical tourist), then it is your responsibility to research the standards of the foreign health care facility and the licensing of the health care provider in your destination country. Travel is best avoided in the first 12 weeks and last 6 weeks of pregnancy. Always carry your medical records with you in case of an emergency. If you are disabled and need mobility aids (eg, a wheelchair) or a service animal, then plan ahead and make advance arrangements with your air carrier (on bypassing the metal detector for instance) to avoid last minute harassment.

Here’s wishing you a happy holiday this year and I hope you never have to open that first aid kit!

I have often talked about how powerful hormones can be. And hormonal diseases are frighteningly common. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome affects up to 1 in 5 women in Asia and the Middle-East. It is a hormonal disorder with far-reaching consequences like infertility and uterine cancer. Unfortunately most women remain unaware of their disorder.

Although there is no cure, public awareness can lead to early detection and successful management, often with simple lifestyle modifications.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) was first recognized in the 1930s. In medical parlance, a “syndrome” refers to a group of symptoms and medical signs which occur together to characterize a particular illness. Most women with PCOS have multiple fluid filled cysts in the ovaries. While there may be several explanations for an ovarian cyst, it is the peculiar constellation of symptoms which occur together to establish the diagnosis.

The main symptom of PCOS is irregular and infrequent menstrual cycles (8 or fewer cycles in a year), starting from puberty or later in life. Other symptoms include weight gain, excess hair on the face and body, oily skin and pimples, thinning of hair on the top of the scalp, thickening and darkening of the skin over the body folds (neck, underarms, inner elbow and groin), decrease in breast size, enlargement of the clitoris and/or deepening of the voice. These symptoms can occur all at once, or one at a time; and most patients have only some of these symptoms.

An ultrasound scan of the pelvis may reveal multiple fluid filled sacs in the ovaries. Blood tests may altered hormonal levels in the blood. Blood insulin level often tends to be high, leaving the sufferer susceptible to diabetes. When left untreated, it can lead to infertility, abnormal bleeding from the uterus, and cancer of the uterine lining (“endometrial carcinoma”). There can also be long term complications of obesity and high insulin levels; like diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol and sleep disturbances. In fact, PCOS is one of the most common cause for infertility in women.

So what causes PCOS? No one knows for sure. It seems to run in families. Women who reached puberty at a younger age (8-10) maybe at a higher risk of developing PCOS later in life. In many cases, weight gain and insulin resistance are said to be the trigger for hormonal upheavals. Insulin resistance is a condition where the body produces insulin but does not utilize it effectively, which in turn pushes the pancreas to produce even higher levels of insulin. In healthy women, the pituitary gland in the brain produces a hormone called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the first half of the menstrual cycle, which stimulates hundreds of eggs in the ovaries to mature and grow within their tiny follicles. The growing follicles release Estrogen, the female hormone. Mid-cycle, estrogen levels in the blood start to peak, which signals the pituitary gland to produce a surge of hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH). Under the influence of LH, a single follicle becomes dominant, while the remaining follicles dissolve, and the dominant follicle then bursts to release one healthy egg. This process is known as ovulation. In women suffering from PCOS, LH levels are abnormally high at all times, and the mid-cycle hormonal surge fails to take off. Therefore none of multiple fluid filled sacs (seen as ovarian cysts on a scan) mature to release an egg, which explains the infertility.

After ovulation has occurred, the hormone LH directs the ovaries to produce another hormone called progesterone, which prepares the womb (the uterus) for an impending pregnancy. If conception does not occur, the womb sheds its lining along with the unused egg, roughly every 28 days, which we all know as menstruation. This fails to occur in PCOS, and a sufferer may not get her period for 45-90 days or much longer, until the uterine lining becomes so heavy that it breaks down under its own weight, leading to heavy and abnormal bleeding.

High levels of blood insulin and LH leads to increased production of male hormones (testosterone) from the ovaries and adrenal glands. High levels of testosterone also prevent ovulation and cause infertility. The male hormones are also responsible for the typical symptoms like acne, facial hair, weight gain and scalp hair thinning.

Most women remain undiagnosed as they may be unconcerned about their symptoms. However, PCOS which remains undetected and untreated for a prolonged period of time can lead to long-term medical complications. Your GP may refer you to a gynecologist or endocrinologist. The specialist doctor will take a detailed history about your menstrual cycle, check your weight and blood pressure, do a physical examination to detect signs of excess male hormones in your system, and finally order some blood tests and a simple non-invasive ultrasound scan of the abdomen and pelvic area. Patients who are having difficulty conceiving must be evaluated thoroughly, along with their partners. Only a subset of women suffer from infertility. Therefore one must always practice safe sex to avoid sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies.

Unfortunately there is no permanent cure for PCOS. In many young women, these hormonal upheavals tend to normalize on their own after marriage and child birth. Most women have only milder symptoms like irregular periods and weight gain. In that case, your endocrinologist may choose not to treat you at all. Exercise and weight loss alone can alleviate all symptoms of PCOS, regularize your cycles, and help you get pregnant! Long term weight control is also essential to avoid complications like diabetes and high blood pressure. A balanced diet, which is low on starch, free from saturated fats, refined sugars or processed food, can also go a long way in keeping your symptoms under control. In fact, lifestyle modification is the first line of treatment for PCOS. Many patients have reported benefit from yoga, quitting tobacco and switching to a vegetarian diet.

If your periods continue to remain irregular, your specialist may prescribe hormonal contraceptive pills. If you are plagued with acne and excessive facial hair, then anti-androgen medications are the drug of choice. It also helps women who suffer from hair thinning or balding. Diabetes medication like Metformin can help you lose weight faster, reduce blood insulin levels, and regulate menstrual cycles. For women who are trying to conceive, fertility medications are prescribed. Uncommonly,when fertility medications fail to work, your gynecologist may suggest a laparoscopic ovarian drilling procedure. Using a key-hole incision, your surgeon may insert a small needle to drill multiple holes in your ovaries using electric current. This is done to destroy small areas of ovarian tissue where testosterone is produced. This process can help induce ovulation, so that you may conceive.

With treatment, most women go on to conceive and have healthy babies. During pregnancy, women must be screened for diabetes of pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation. If you do develop gestational diabetes, it is likely to recur in future pregnancies, and you are at high risk for diabetes later in life. In fact, all PCOS patients are advised to get their blood sugars tested on an annual basis.

Symptoms like acne, excess hair growth, skin tags and skin pigmentation can be effectively treated by a dermatologist. However, it is advisable to get onto hormonal medications for best results. Thoroughly discuss the pros and cons of hormonal medication with your doctor and your family, while keeping an open mind. Visit a physician at regular intervals for early detection and management of any untoward sequelae. Some of the symptoms of PCOS can cause severe depression, mood swings and loss of self-esteem. The hormonal fluctuations do not help. If a loved one is suffering from PCOS, shower them with compassion and understanding. Do not hesitate to approach a counselor or mental health professional if you feel the need.

The secret to long lasting beauty and youthfulness is a combination of correct skin care, nutrition and of course, perfect hormonal balance. While its easy to use the right beauty creams and take your timely supplements, achieving hormonal harmony is a lot more trickier.

I have said it before and I will say it again. Hormones are powerful! Most of us think hormones only control our sex life and fertility, but the human body produces about 70 different kinds of hormones. They control our growth, metabolism, wound healing and fertility. They are responsible for our mood, our body’s electrolyte balance, our digestion and bone health. They also support pregnancy and breast- feeding. So the effects of these hormones are far-reaching; and minor hormonal imbalances can translate into major physical upheavals.

Women go through a lot more fluctuations in their hormonal cycles compared to men. Puberty, pregnancy, breast-feeding, menopause and the post-menopausal years are all significant transition periods in a woman’s life. How do our hormones affect our skin and hair? Let me describe how they work.

16 year old Leela was born a rosy skinned child with soft and shiny hair. But in the last couple of years, her skin has tanned. Her face and hair are turning oily. She has started to develop body odour. The hair on her hands and legs are turning thicker and she is starting to develop pimples and blackheads. She is growing tall very quickly and has started developing some curves, but these are giving her stretch marks on her thighs and hips. I meet many such Leelas every day, dragged into my office by horrified mothers. These are “the oily years”, and can be very traumatic.

Leela is going through puberty. Her ovaries are starting to produce estrogen (the ‘girl’ hormone) and her adrenal glands are also producing a small amount of testosterone (the ‘boy’ hormone). The thyroid gland in her neck is working over time to keep up with her growth spurt. And thishormonal flux is creating all these changes in her skin and hair.

What should Leela do to preserve her beauty and hygiene at this time? Its time to do away with the ‘baby creams and baby soaps’. She must now bathe twice a day and start using deodorant. She needs a salicylic acid based foaming face wash to keep acne and oily skin under control. She must use a micro-beaded face and body scrub once or twice a week to exfoliate. She must use a gel based sunscreen and an oil-free moisturizer to protect her skin from tanning. She must use a ZPTO containing mild anti dandruff shampoo at least twice a week, to keep away dandruff and oily build-up from her scalp. It is time to wax pit and pubic hair, and consider laser hair reduction treatments if she is over 16 and excessively hairy. She must massage an oil free moisturizer over her body every day to keep adolescent stretch marks away. And she must exercise and remain active, keep her weight under control, drink plenty of fluids, and eat at least 5 different types of fruits and vegetables every day. She can get a clean up done at the salon or use home made face packs made out of fruit pulp, but she is still too young for regular facials.

26 year old Maira went through some of Leela’s turmoil at that age but she is going through a good phase now. She has 2 beautiful children, and she has some stretch marks and suffered from some hair fall after her delivery. But overall, she feels quite good about herself. Her skin is rosy and fair again. It is luminescent and glows with natural good health. Her hair is thick and bouncy, her acne have cleared up, and her libido is strong. Some open pores, a little dandruff, and light freckling are her only annoyances. Her dusky skinned sisters in Asia have started to notice uneven skin tone; with the skin around their eyes, mouth and forehead being a shade darker than the skin on the rest of their body. The 20s to mid 30’s are “the beautiful years”. This is the age when a lot of women take their beauty and youth for granted. They are out in the sun chasing their kids and careers with no time to use a sunscreen or get a facial.

But Maira is a smart woman who knows that investing in her skin now will reap rich dividends in the future. What does she do? She uses a sunscreen religiously and keeps her hair covered when she is out in the sun. She uses moisturizing beauty creams which contain peptides, fruits acids (AHAs) and antioxidants to keep her skin healthy and well hydrated. She never forgets to carry her sun glasses with her. She exercises, meditates and is learning to manage her time and stress levels in a healthy manner. She uses an under eye cream containing peptides and a mild bleaching agent like liquorice. She does not believe in crash dieting, but she eats smaller and more frequent meals with special focus on fruits, berries, herbs, green leafy vegetables and fish. She minimizes her intake of red meat, but has small portions of egg yolk and liver every week. She follows yoga to keep her blood and lymph circulation in check. She gets a professional face and body massage done every month to keep her skin supple and toned. She also gets regular home pedicures done and uses a hand and foot cream every day. She uses a light mineral based body oil before her shower, and she loves to moisturize with fragrance-free products. She meets her dermatologist every quarter. She takes an antioxidant pill and an iron containing pill for a few months every year. And she pampers her hair to a herbal warm oil massage and steaming from a hot towel wrap once a week. She always uses conditioner after shampooing her hair and gets her hair trimmed every few months.

If a woman is this age group is suffering from irregular periods, weight gain, infertility and excessive facial and body hair, then she must consult an experienced endocrinologist to get herself treated for polycystic ovarian disease.

38 year old Suzanne is starting to experience the first signs of ageing. Her laugh lines are now deeper. The skin around her jaw and chin is beginning to sag. She can see fine lines on her forehead, and little crows feet appear on the corners of her eyes when she smiles. Her skin is turning drier and her hair is looking thinner. The mid 30s to the late 40s are “the blotchy years”. She has pigmentation on her face in the form of some age spots and brown blotches. These are called Melasma and are very hard to treat. She is also beginning to wonder if she is going through a second adolescence. She has pimples again, and her dandruff is back. And the most disturbing change is the hair she is sprouting on her chin and sideburns.

By now, Suzanne needs to be on anti-ageing skin care. A Retinol containing night cream alternating with a Co-Enzyme Q10 containing cream is an effective and inexpensive fix. She still needs sunscreen of course. But she will be making more regular trips to the dermatologist for chemical peels, skin tightening laser sessions and the occasional laser hair reduction treatments. She must also start using phytoestrogen and capixyl based hair growth serums to arrest that hair thinning which will get worse with every passing decade. This is the age when most women get their first treatment with Botox and dermal fillers.

Women over 40 must get off the birth control pill. Now that the kids are grown up, Suzanne must ensure 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night. More than ever before, this is the age when women must keep away from processed food and cut back on sugar. She must now start taking regular Vitamin E supplements along with flaxseeds, hummus, almonds, walnuts, coconut oil and cod liver oil. These foods are rich in essential fatty acids and natural estrogens which can help her achieve some hormonal balance in a natural fashion. By taking in lots of fiber, some digestive enzymes, and a little probiotic yoghurt, she can regulate her digestion, which is also key in keeping cholesterol and blood sugar levels down. This in turn will make her hormones happy.

53 year old Parminder has completed one whole year without a single period. She has now officially attained menopause. Fatima was always blessed with naturally healthy skin and was always complimented for her youthful good looks, even when she was well into her 40s. However, in the last 1 year, Parminder can see noticeable signs of ageing when she compares her mirror image to pictures taken just a couple of years ago. The post menopausal years are referred to as the “wrinkly saggy years”. Her eyes are the first to give away her age. She has bags and wrinkles under her eyes. The skin on her neck is loose and wrinkly. Her skin is dry, pale, coarse and starting to develop a leathery quality. Tiny, broken, red veins appear on her face, and her skin looks ruddy in the sun. She is aghast and depressed and it seems like she is ageing in fast forward. Her hair is gray and much thinner, her libido is low and sex is no longer enjoyable because of poor lubrication.

Post-menopause, a woman’s ovaries shrink and can hardly produce any more estrogen. Along with the unpleasant changes in her skin and hair, her body is going through a sea-tide of overwhelming changes as well.

Is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) the answer to these woes? HRT is mostly used to treat bone thinning in older women, or in women going through premature menopause. It is not recommended in women under 40 or over 60. It comes with its own unpleasant side effects; and oral HRT is NEVER recommended as a purely cosmetic treatment. Estrogen containing creams can no doubt tighten and plump up ageing skin. Estrogen containing patches are safer than oral estrogen, and estrogen containing vaginal creams can help with frigidity and incontinence. But in women of color, it can lead to pigmentation issues like Melasma.

Parminder must remain active to keep her bones and heart healthy, and her mood light. Keeping weight under control will become increasingly difficult but she must persevere. Yoga and walking are safer exercises at this age. She must take daily Calcium and Vitamin D supplements. As far as current evidence goes, the mantra to achieve hormonal harmony is Go Holistic and Choose Organic.

To conclude, longer life expectancy in the last 50 years have meant that more and more women are now living beyond menopause and spending several years of their life in a hormone-deprived state. But by understanding how hormones influence your life over various time eras, one can work towards attaining optimal balance through exercise, weight control and a few simple dietary manipulations.

“Ayurveda” in Sanskrit means knowledge of life. Ayurvedic Dermatology relies on the knowledge of individual body constitution to formulate the right skin care and lifestyle modifications, which can help one achieve complete harmony of the mind, body and skin. Read on to learn more.

Several botanical extracts which have been used since centuries across Asia and the Middle-East are now being re-examined by pharmaceutical companies and cosmetic giants. From the low budget cold creams purchased by penny-pinching housewives.. To the uber expensive and ultra-luxurious cosmetic creams and toiletries available only in select beauty stores.. You will be hard-pressed to find a formulation which does not contain at least ONE plant, animal, food, herb or natural mineral based ingredient. More and more women tend to shun chemical based cosmetics and are looking for herbal, natural and synthetic free formulations.

Women in Asia have always known about the beauty benefits of turmeric, cream, saffron, coconut oil and sandalwood paste. Meanwhile, women in Egypt and the Middle East have used henna, rose water, honey and fuller’s earth to beautify themselves. But now even science backed with multiple researches done across the world have confirmed what we already know. Governments, doctors, researchers and pharmaceutical companies are working together to integrate the ancient knowledge of alternative medicine with modern biomedicine in order to maximize benefit to the customer.

From the Ayurvedic perspective, there are three Doshas – psychophysiological subprinciples- that regulate skin health and perspective.Ayurveda asserts that we are all born into an unchanging constitution, which is our Dosha. These are the Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata governs circulation in the skin and modulates the sense of touch. Pitta controls skin temperature and the biochemical processes that occur in the skin. Kapha modulates moisture levels and lubrication. A person is characterised by the proportion of doshas present in his body. An imbalance of one, two or all three doshas causes disease.

People with Vata skin type are “The Dry Skin Type”. Their skin is dry, rough and thin, with visible veins. Their body craves sunlight and they tan easily. They have dry, rough and thin hair. Warm oily food with a mix of sweet sour and salty tastes balances vata. Vata individuals need to avoid dry food like bread and crackers, drink 6-8 glasses of warm water and sip sweet fruit juices throughout the day. Going to bed early and performing a full body oil massage before shower soothes vata.

People with Pitta skin type are “The Sensitive Allergy Prone Type”. Their skin is thick oily and smooth. They have excessive body heat, perspire profusely and flush easily. Their skin is warm and soft. They have multiple freckles and moles, get sunburnt easily, and develop acne, rashes and bruises very easily. They have strong, thick, oily and dark hair. These individuals must avoid excessive sunlight, steam and saunas, and facials. Hot and spicy food should be avoided. Astringent, bitter and sweet foods like melons and pears, citrusy fruits and vegetables, and cooked greens are especially good. Drinking plenty of water flushes out impurities from the allergy prone pitta skin. They must avoid scrubs and hair colouring. They must reduce external or internal contact with synthetic chemicals. Rose water, cucumber, watermelon, aloe vera, sunscreens and other cooling therapies, taken internally or applied to the skin, has a good impact on the health of Pitta individuals.

People with Kapha skin type are “The Oily Skin Type”. Their skin is thick, smooth and moist, fair and clear complexioned and with few wrinkles. They are prone to acne, open pores, blackheads and whiteheads, and premature graying. They need more cleansing than other skin types. They must avoid oily creams. They must also avoid sugary, starchy and fatty food along with cheeses. Light, easy to digest, astringent, bitter and well-spiced food (Indian curries, for example) help in balancing your kapha. Food must be prepared in olive oil and a little ginger and lime can be taken before meals to stimulate the digestive system. Frequent warm baths, regular exercise, high fiber diet and scrubbing the skin with an exfoliating clay, can help purify Kapha body types.

So how do some of our favourite domestic skin care ingredients work?

Turmeric has antiseptic properties and is an excellent exfoliant. Raw organic turmeric is almost 100% safe. It has been used to lighten a tan and heal acne. It has also been used to peel off facial hair, treat burns and skin infections. Because of its yellow stain, it is best suited for brown-skinned individuals. When used as a spice, it has anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. It can fight asthma, allergies and arthritis, lower blood sugar levels and detoxify the liver. No wonder this humble spice has been referred to as “the Indian Saffron”.

Oats are a kind of cereal and well regarded as a nutritional powerhouse. Its beauty benefits have been known since 2000 BC when Egyptians and Arabs used it to scrub away dead skin and beautify their bodies. Oatmeal baths are hugely beneficial for anyone suffering from Eczema, itching or insect bite allergies. It contains polysaccharides, which turns gelatinous in water and forms a film over the skin, thus acting as a natural moisturizer.

Henna is an integral part of Indian and Middle-Eastern culture. It is a flowering herb which imparts a natural orange-red stain when the leaves are dried and powdered, or crushed, to form a paste. Henna helps to strengthen and condition hair, prevent premature graying and protect against split ends when applied as a mask on scalp hair. Henna also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Royal families in Persia used henna powder as a body scrub as well. Henna oil soothes headaches, cools the scalp, delays graying of hair and cures insomnia as well. Natural henna is 100% safe. But black henna can cause skin irritation and allergies. This is not because of the henna per se, but the dye added to impart the black color. Hence, there is no such thing as “natural black henna”. Henna leaves, flowers and the bark of henna plant have been used for its medicinal properties as well.

Do natural metals and minerals have beauty benefits too? The ions in gold can help stimulate the skin. This helps in reducing fine lines and tightening the skin. Gold has skin lightening benefits as well. A gold based facial improves blood circulation, lightens and tightens skin and gives an instant glow. Gold taken orally can treat allergies and inflammatory disorders as well. Ancient Romans, Egyptians and Chinese have known about the beauty benefits & healing properties of gold for centuries now. It is said the Cleopatra used a gold mask on her face every night!

Rose water is a rich source of antioxidants, and has several anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and hydrating properties. It is highly versatile and suitable for all skin types and all age groups. It can be used as a toner for oily and pimple-prone skin. It can be used to soothe sun burns and sensitive skin. It can be mixed with glycerine or olive oil and applied to dry and chapped skin. You can use it to remove make up or add it to your face pack. It has an unforgettably pleasing aroma which can calm the nerves, relieve anxiety and refresh the senses. So a few drops added to your bath water can help you forget the day’s burdens.

Honey, aloe vera, sandalwood powder, saffron, caffeine, coconut oil, avocado, soy, tea tree, arnica, clay, mushrooms, olive oil, chamomile, lavender, rosemary, neem and licorice.. The list is endless.. From skin lightening to moisturizing, healing, soothing, anti-itch and antiseptic properties.. These botanicals are a precious treasure of beauty and anti-ageing secrets. Animal extracts like emu oil, snake oil, placenta extracts, caviar and bird feces have also been used in various anti-ageing creams and facials with great success.

On a parting note, let me leave you with a tip that you can actually use! Have you been trying to concoct an inexpensive home-made face pack of your own, but don’t know how to go about it? Here is how – You can use gram flour, oatmental or sandalwood powder as a base. To this you can add ground almonds (blanched and peeled), dried orange peel powder and just a pinch of turmeric. The ground almonds will act as a scrub, the orange peel has a chemical peel like effect and the turmeric will help dry out acne. You need to add a liquid base to turn this powder into a face pack. Add rose water if you have oily skin. Or milk cream for normal to dry skin. You also need to add some kind of oil for the right consistency, so try olive oil or sweet almond oil. This is an excellent face pack for anyone over 25. For teen skin, you can make a fruit based face pack. Use the pulp from tomatoes, strawberries and pineapples, add a pinch of saffron to it. Leave it on your face till it dries, then rinse. This is the perfect summer face pack for tanned and oily skin as well.

Modern grooming is considered incomplete unless you have a perfect set of 20 beautiful nails, and that goes for men too! Moreover, your nails can reveal a lot about your body and your health, if you can learn how to read the signs. Read on to know more.

How would one define healthy and beautiful nails? Beautiful nails are smooth, without pits or curving, have uniform pale pink color, and are strong and resistant to easy breakage. The skin around the nail is healthy, without any pain, flaking or discoloration.

So how does one achieve that? Let’s begin with the basics. What is the correct method of caring for one’s nails? Start by trimming your nails neatly and regularly. Trim them straight and not curved, especially the toe nails, as close trims at the corners can ingrow and turn painful. Use a nail file to smoothen out the cut edges, then sterilize the nail file in hot water after each use. You can give yourself a basic manicure at home by dipping your hands in warm water for 10 minutes, then soaking your hands in olive oil for 10 minutes, then applying petroleum jelly to your cuticles before trimming them with a cuticle cutter. Do not trim your cuticles more frequently than say, once a month. Then use a nail buffer (available easily at all beauty stores) to give your nails that smooth shiny look.

Do not share your nail grooming equipment with anyone else if you want to keep your nails free from infections. And always sterilize your equipment using spirit or hot water, after each use. Use hand gloves while doing the dishes or using a mop. And use hand and foot creams (which also double as nail creams) twice a day at least. I generally advise women to complete all their household chores in one long stretch, have a shower and then use hand cream as soon as they step out of the shower. Reapply once more at bed time. Do NOT bite or chew on your nails or peel off the skin around your nails.

Always use a base coat before painting your nails. This protects your nails from the chemicals and dye used in nail paints, which could turn your nails yellow. Acetone based nail polish removers are freely available and are used most commonly by most women. However they can dry your nails out and leave them brittle. If you are allergic to the acetone, you could have itching, redness or peeling of skin around your nails. Look for “acetone free nail polish remover”. These generally contain “acetates” which work just as well. minus the nasty side effects!

Do our nails need any special nutritional care? A healthy balanced diet will provide adequate nutrition to your nails as well. However, if your nails are thin and brittle, then increase your intake of proteins and iron rich food. Consult a physician to rule out underlying medical conditions like anemia or a sluggish thyroid gland. Take a 10 mg tablet of Biotin everyday as a nutritional supplement. Biotin is a vitamin which is essential for healthy hair and nails, and is naturally available in raw egg yolk, liver, Brewer’s yeast and soybeans. None of the naturally available food items are a rich source of Biotin, so most of u will require Biotin supplements from time to time.

If you love using artificial nails, you need to be more diligent when it comes to nail care and maintenance. Do not use artificial nails to cover up a diseased nail. This is not a solution. Consult a dermatologist to have your nail treated, before considering artificial nails. Try wearing only one nail at first, to test for skin allergies. These manifest as redness and peeling of the skin on the nails folds. Care for your acrylic nails like you would care for your real nails. Clean them every day and check regularly to see if they’re coming loose or breaking. Only use glue made especially for acrylic nails. Stay away from detergents, and let your natural nails breathe every 2 months. Return to the salon for maintenance by an experienced nail technician every 3 weeks. It is wise to get artificial nails removed at the salon rather than home, to minimize damage to your natural nails.

If you have used artificial nails for several months, your natural nail may appear stunted, brittle and dry. If you decide to go back to your natural nails, then follow the nail care instructions mentioned earlier to help nurture your nails back to health. Do not paint your nails for a while. Use only ridge fillers or base coat, preferably one containing nail strengthening agents. If there is any pain or discoloration in the nail, then your nail might be infected. Consult a dermatologist and get the infection treated.

A lot of folks ask me about the little white spots they see on their nails. The medical name for this is ‘Onycholysis’. In simple terms, this occurs when your nail plate (what you trim every week) separates from the nail bed (the skin tissue underneath the nail) in a spontaneous and painless manner. This is most likely a result of trauma from chemicals like detergents, nail polish remover, artificial nails. or just digging your nails into hard surfaces! Pregnancy, anemia and nutritional deficiency can also cause onycholysis. The severe cases are generally linked to skin diseases. Fungal infections look very similar in some cases, so you’ll have to meet a dermatologist for confirmation. In true onycholysis, there is no treatment. Just trim what you can. In milder cases, it goes away on its own as the nail continues to grow.

Now what are those annoying and painful little slivers of torn skin by the side or bottom of your nail? These are called ‘hang nails’. These are also a result of trauma, dryness or irritation. People with nervous or fretful disposition tend to create these hang nails by biting or picking on it. These can be very painful and prone to infection, especially in mommies who wash dirty dishes and change soiled nappies. If you are a neat freaks who washes your hands with disinfectants or hand washes several times a day, then you’ll invariably end up with hang nails. Do not pick on it or tear it. Snip it with a cuticle cutter. Liberal use of urea or squalene containing hand creams (like the Neutrogena Norwegian Hand Formula) helps in prevention. Hand creams tend to stay back on your skin even after washing and towelling dry.

Your nails can tell a lot about you- your habits, your personality, even underlying medical conditions.

Pale nails = Anemia,
Spoon-shapednails = severe anemia and malnutrition,
Yellow and brown discoloration = Fungal infection,
Black streak = possible Melanoma,
Green discoloration = serious Fungal or Bacterial infection,
White speck on nail = Trauma,
White nails = Liver disease,
Brittle nails = Thyroid disease,
Bluish tint = Heart and/or Lung disease,
Half white and half pink nails = Kidney disease,
Shiny nails = long standing itchy skin disorder,
Gnawed nails = anxiety, perhaps obsessive compulsive disorder,
Callus on the index finger just below the nail = Bulemia.

There are plenty of skin disorders as well which cause nail deformities. By the way, did you know that dermatologists are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of nail disorders as well?

As clinical studies shed light on our understanding of the human skin and its behavior, newer skin care regimes are constantly being modulated. Cosmetic giants spend millions of dollars every year, in the search and testing of promising new herbs, molecules and enzymes- each one touted to give us younger, lighter and healthier looking skin. For those of you who do not wish to undergo invasive and expensive dermatological treatments,You must often wonder- do any of these ‘miracle creams’ really work? How much is science, and how much is empty market hype? How much can I realistically expect out of my beauty potions? And are these creams safe to use? Let me help you make sense of the bombardment of new “ingredients” on the shelves of your favorite beauty store.

The first step towards taking care of your skin includes understanding your skin type. You’ll be surprised to know that Miami’s famed dermatologist Dr Leslie Baumann (‘The Skin Type Solution’ doctor) has identified 16 different skin types. Which is why, the toner or face cream that suited your friend so well, may not work for you at all. Is your skin oily or dry? Blotchy and tanned, or pale and blemish-free? Is your skin very sensitive, or resistant and hardy to any and all cosmetics? Is your skin wrinkled or taut? A quick and honest assessment can help you choose the right skin care regime for yourself. If you’re unable to be objective about your own skin, take Dr Leslie Baumann’s questionnaire at www.skintypesolutions.com/home and find out for yourself. Most women tend to buy all their skin care products from one particular brand. However your skin might need the cleanser of one brand, but the sunscreen of another brand.

For instance, if you have oily skin, use cleansers containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid. Toners and astringents can keep oil secretion under control, and tighten open pores. Use a gel or serum based moisturizer, instead of creams. And use sunscreen sprays (“sports” sunscreen), rather than sunscreen lotions. You can use a SPF containing compact powder, which will blot out excess sunscreen, and provide some additional sun-protection as well. There are various face packs and masks, which contain silica, talc or fuller’s earth, which can leave your skin looking fresh and matte, although only for a day or so. Chemical peels at a spa or a doctor’s office, can also temporarily reduce oil secretion on your face.

If you have dry skin, use non-foaming cleansers, and avoid toners altogether. If your skin is very dry, then you must avoid scrubs, and use thick moisturizers containing squalene, urea or NMF (natural moisturizing factor). Dietary supplements in the form of cod liver oil capsules, omega-3-fatty acids, evening primrose oil, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and GLA (gamma linoleic acid), are all helpful in combating dry skin.
If your skin turns oily in the summer, and dry during winters, then you may have to change your skin care regime seasonally.

Walking into a beauty store, you might be confused by the sheer array of creams, serums and lotions, each one claiming to be “doctor recommended” or of “scientifically proven efficacy”. Flipping through the pages of a beauty magazine, you may find frightening pictures of needles pointed towards the eye of a model, along with innocent-looking jars of creams which claim to give you the same results in an inexpensive and non-invasive manner. So which one do I believe?

First and foremost, even if you choose to undergo medical treatments, you will still be expected to continue using your skin care and anti-ageing creams. It is always good to start from your early 20s, so that those earliest wrinkles can be delayed till your 40s, rather than appearing in your 30s. A simple sunscreen is always the best anti-ageing cream that you can use, provided you get into the habit in your younger days. This is because sunlight is responsible for the maximum damage done to our skin, especially if you are light-skinned. If your skin is prone to pigmentation issues, then one must remember that sunscreens only protect you from ultraviolet radiation. However, your skin can tan even from infrared radiation, emitted by tube lights, lamps, radiators and microwave ovens. The present consensus among the medical community is that, antioxidants like Vitamin C and Vitamin E can provide sufficient cover against infrared radiation. So if you have freckles or blotchy skin, apply Vitamin E gel or Vitamin C serum to your skin, before you apply your sunscreen.

Another question that foxes many women is this- What should I apply first, moisturizer or sunscreen? Opinions may vary among dermatologists as well. But in my experience, most women use chemical sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens must come in direct contact with the skin and have to interact with the skin cells, in order to get activated. Therefore, the sunscreen must be applied before the moisturizer. If you are using a physical sunscreen (the ones that leave a visible white coat on your skin, i.e, talcum powder or zinc paste), it must be the last layer to go onto your skin. If chemical sunscreens irritate your skin or make your eyes water, then try using physical sunscreens or pediatric sunscreens.

Now what about skin-lightening creams? Baring Causacians, women of almost every other race, cherish and strive for lighter and blemish free skin. Bleaching creams ( aka ‘Fairness Creams’ in India) are a multi-billion dollar industry. Women must take solace in the fact that various sociological studies have proven that men are attracted to women with healthy, glowing, even-toned and blemish free skin, irrespective of the skin color. If you are an ‘experienced’ user of bleaching creams, you must have heard of molecules like Hydroquinone, Antioxidants, Licorice, Mulberry extract, Vitamin C, Kojic acid, phenol, AHAs, tretinoin, azelaic acid and arbutin. Then of course, there are face washes, soaps and face packs containing some of these ingredients. And now one hears of oral pills containing Vitamin C, pine bark extract, pomegranate extract, glutathione etc, which can lighten your skin. And to add to the confusion, we now have creams for underarm, genital and anal bleaching as well!

All of the ingredients mentioned above do work in most cases. However, hydroquinone, resorcinol, arbutin, tretinoin and phenols are too harsh on people with darker skin tones. It has been shown to cause skin irritation, paradoxical deepening of pigmentation, even skin cancer. Some women develop allergies even to pure turmeric paste and lemon juice. Creams containing licorice, mulberry extract, kojic acid and arbutin can be purchased over the counter. However, for all other skin lightening creams, you must first consult a dermatologist who’ll pick the right ingredient for you, and guide you on its proper and safe usage. These creams work best if you use a sunscreen as well, as sunscreens are the mainstay of pigmentation treatment. Skin lightening creams may not work on all women, and sometimes the pigmentation can recur. If so, consult a dermatologist who may recommend treatments like chemical peels or laser skin lightening. As a thumb rule, avoid all bleaching creams during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Avoid alternative medicine which may contain toxins like Mercury. Never purchase a cream if it does not carry an ingredient list, never mind claims to an exotic or “secret” ingredient. Oral supplements must never be taken without consulting a dermatologist first. If you have sensitive skin, creams containing Vitamin C, niacinamide or Kojic acid are better suited for you. Do not use bleaching creams meant for the face on underarm or genital skin, as the skin in these areas are more sensitive. And stay away from controversial therapies like glutathione intravenous injections, as they have been proven to cause liver damage in some patients.

Lastly, I come to anti-ageing creams and serums. Companies always claim that serums are more powerful than creams. While serums are absorbed into the skin better, the secret to efficacy lies in the ingredients, rather than the delivery system. Also, serums do not contain moisturizers, so a bland moisturizer maybe needed to combat any dryness or skin tingling caused by the serum. There are several medical studies to prove the anti-ageing efficacy of creams containing Retinol, antioxidants (like Vitamin C), Coenzyme Q10, Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and Alpha hydroxyacids (AHA). However, dermatologists are still not convinced about the efficacy of ingredients like peptides, collagen, Matryxl 3000, Tranexamic acid or hyaluronic acid applied to the skin surface, though these ingredients work very well when it is injected into the skin. Over the counter creams containing Vitamin E, allantoin, caffeine, cocoa butter and alium cepa (onion extract) work well on stretch marks and scars, especially if they’re fresh. Oral Vitamin A supplements can slow down ageing of the skin, but idebenone and seaweed extract are of unproven efficacy. Minerals like zinc, copper and tea extracts have limited efficacy. And please stay away from hormone containing anti-ageing creams.

As I summarize, I would like to stress upon you, that creams and lotions can only delay the ageing process and lighten scars and spots. And this is assuming that you’re a non-smoker who sleeps 8 hours a day and stays out of the sun! Most of these products are marketed as cosmeceuticals, which means they’re a combination of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. However, according to the United States Food & Drug Administration (USFDA), “The term cosmeceutical has no meaning under the law. And cosmetics are not approved by FDA prior to sale”. In other words, cosmeceuticals do not undergo the same stringent testing that applies to drugs. Therefore these are no match to medical treatments. However they are inexpensive, non-invasive, easy to use and mostly free from side-effects. An antioxidant rich diet is even less effective than creams when it comes to anti-ageing, although it may be very helpful in keeping cancer away. It is wise to find products which suit you, and stick to them. Avoid changing your products frequently, or using too many beauty creams and salon treatments, as that could leave your skin irritated and overly sensitive.

Most of us visit the salon for relaxation and rejuvenation therapies, rather than for any real treatment. Services range from hair beautification to epilation, hand and foot care, massages and skin bleaching. A parlor visit is no longer the prerogative of the young, wealthy woman.

More and more older women, men of all ages and middle classes individuals are now visiting salons. As a result of this, spas and salons are mushrooming in every nook and cranny of our modern cities, often with unscrupulous and under-qualified staff who’re cashing in on the trend, to make a quick buck. This often leads to complications and side effects arising from treatments which are normally considered safe.

What are the common pitfalls to look out for? Which treatments are better avoided? And how can I minimize the risk of side effects?

Most of the parlor-related misadventures that I come across in my practice, are related to hair removal treatments. Waxing can lead to an eruption of boils on the skin, and skin burns on rare occasions. Post waxing bumps and boils are most frequently noted on the face, outer arms and thighs. This is probably because of the haphazard direction of hair growth in these areas. If you’re prone to waxing-induced bumps, boils and ingrown hair, then I suggest you use a mild apricot/walnut based scrub on your skin (while showering) for a couple of days before your salon appointment. Do not moisturize, and keep your skin dry before waxing. Only use hot sugar wax and disposable strips. Ask your beautician to ice your skin soon after waxing, and carry a tube of over-the-counter antibiotic cream like Fucidin®. Apply the antibiotic cream to the treated area twice a day for 3-5 days post waxing, and avoid hot showers for a day or two. Don’t pick on ingrown hair or you’ll be left with ugly cuts and scars. Wait for them to grow out on their own, then pull them out with a tweezer. Despite these measures, if the boils still recur each time you wax, then you may have to seriously consider laser hair reduction treatments. Laser treatment will not make your skin completely hair free, but it will make your hair grow slower and much thinner. Electrolysis is painful, expensive, outdated and risky.

If you’ve burnt your skin from the hot wax, then rub ice or run the affected area under cool running water. Rush to your local chemist for a medical grade antibiotic cream, which you can apply over the burn, 3 times a day, till you can get an appointment with the dermatologist. If you notice any blisters, do not pop them or dress them with bandaids. Your doctor will drain it using sterilized, disposable needles, and may prescribe oral antibiotics.
Some women find threading very painful, and certain viral skin infections like warts and molluscum can be spread to your face if the thread is infected. Unfortunately, these rarely go away on their own without medical treatment. Avoid any further plucking or threading until the lesions have completely resolved.

Problems related to bleaching and facials are also fairly common. If you have acne-prone skin, it is wise to avoid facials altogether, especially just before important events like weddings. This is because, if you are to develop a bad flare-up of acne from a facial, your dermatologist will not even have enough time to fix the problem before your big event. If you have sensitive skin, do not get bleach and facial done on the same day. Mild tingling is to be expected, but if you experience any irritation, itching or burning sensation during your treatment, then inform your beautician immediately. Make sure she stays by your side till the treatment is completed. If you notice a rash or excessive redness, then consult your doctor immediately. Do not use steroid creams on your face without a doctor’s prescription. After bleach or a facial, it is important to use a medical grade sunscreen on your face.
Hair coloring is an extremely popular and fashionable trend. Gone are the days when only the middle-aged graying person would sheepishly ask his chemist for “hair dye”. Lately even teenagers choose to color their hair, often experimenting with various colors and changing their color every few weeks. Unless your child is suffering from premature graying, forbid hair coloring till late teens at least. If you’re only using hair color as a fashion statement, give a gap of at least 3 months between each treatment. Beginners can first get highlights done, before opting for global colors. If you have grays, give a 6 week gap between root touch-ups. If this is your first time, insist on a “patch test”, where a small amount of hair dye is applied to your inner elbow for an hour. If there is no skin irritation or rash after 24 hours, then you’re not allergic. However, do keep in mind, that frequent hair coloring can eventually sensitize your skin over a few years. So it is always possible to develop hair dye allergies, even after years of safe usage. If you feel any burning sensation or rash on your scalp, forehead or around your eyes, consult your dermatologist without delay. I will add here, that it has been noted that allergic reaction to hair dyes applied at the parlor is less severe than that seen after home application, probably related to less spillage, and less eye contamination from post color hair shampooing. Frequent hair coloring can leave your hair dry and damaged, unless you use deep conditioning treatments. If you’re pregnant, avoid hair coloring, especially in the first three months of your pregnancy.

If you are allergic to hair dye, but would like to continue hair coloring, you may have to choose options like natural henna and vegetable dye based colors. Black henna and ammonia free hair colors also contain the dye which is responsible for allergies.

Hair waving and straightening procedures involve the use of certain chemicals that alter the shape of the hair. These chemicals weaken the hair shaft by about 17% every time the shape of hair is changed. This leads to split ends, hair fall and breakage, which is particularly severe if you’ve had a permanent straightening done. Hair and scalp burns can also occur, especially with use of hot combs. Hair extensions must be chosen correctly and placed with care, or they can cause hair fall and leave bald patches on the scalp. Fortunately, most of this hair damage is reversible once you stop getting these treatments done.

The focus of hand and foot care is usually on the nails. The steps of manicure and pedicure include soaking the hands and feet in warm soapy water, rubbing off dead skin with pumice stone and emery boards, pushing back of the cuticle, massage of the parts, and finally application of nail paint. The instruments used must be properly sterilized. Certain instruments such as nail files cannot be sterilized, so make sure your salon is using disposable files. Thorough cleansing in boiling water with antiseptics like bleach can kill most bacteria and fungus, but viruses tend to stay back. These can give rise to warts on the palms and soles. So if possible, try to buy and create your own personalized pedicure kit. This should consist of a nail clipper, nail file, cuticle pusher, foot file, emery board, gel toe separators, nail buffer, nail brush, foot brush and pumice stone. Replace your emery board, buffer, nail file and pumice stone after 5-6 uses. These are easily available in most local beauty stores. Prolonged soaking and use of artificial nails can lead to nail splitting, fungal infections of the nail and inflammation of the nail folds. Infections are more common if you’ve shaved your legs with a razor before your pedicure.

Aromatherapy is a form of therapy that uses volatile essential oils from plants and flowers for the purpose of affecting a person’s mood or health. The most commonly used essential oils are tea tree oil, lavender, jasmine, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, lemon oil, orange oil, clove oil, oil of Bergamot and Citronella. While tea tree oil has shown anti-bacterial properties in lab studies, the benefits of other essential oils are anecdotal and not medically proven. Certain essential oils cause skin allergies, skin pigmentation and sun burn like reaction. Some of these allergies can even be caused by pesticides, if the original plants are cultivated. Some of these oils can be extremely toxic, if ingested orally; therefore children must be kept out of reach. If you experience any skin rashes following use of these oils, contact your dermatologist, and if possible, carry the oil with you, so that your allergic reaction can be confirmed with a repeat-open-application-test. This goes for massage oils as well. Inexperienced masseuses can burn or bruise your skin with hot oils and stones.

To summarize, choose your beautician and your beauty treatments wisely. Ensure that only high grade cosmetics are used, and insist on checking the expiry date. Before enlisting yourself for any treatment, have a thorough consultation with your beautician. Inform her about pre-existing allergies and skin conditions. Consult a dermatologist to find out what beauty treatments are safe for your skin and hair type. As far as possible, use disposable instruments or carry your own. Experience and training matters, so do not have a casual approach towards the quality and hygiene standards of your salon environs.

We pay through our teeth, and we’re willing to put up with some pain for a lot of gain in the beauty department. But are some of these beauty fads worth the risk? I list the top 10 beauty fads that are not good for your body. Read on and reconsider.

1. Tattoos and Body Art – Think before you Ink!
It is entirely too easy to get a permanent tattoo done these days. But since it is permanent, why not take a few days to ponder on some pertinent facts before you walk into that tattoo salon? Tattoos are permanent designs made on the skin by injecting dyes deeper into the skin using needles. Since the skin is breached, there is a real risk of infections, allergic reactions and blood borne diseases like tetanus and hepatitis C. Tattoos tend to fade over the years, so they do not look as attractive anymore. Intricate designs may get altered as the skin stretches and sags with age. Circumstances may change and you may no longer like the tattoo. This is especially true for those who tattoo the names of a lover or the face of a beloved movie star. Rarely a tattoo may burn or swell during an MRI done later in life for medical complications. Never get a tattoo done under the influence of drugs or alcohol. And don’t allow friends or lovers to pressurize you into doing it. Your body is a temple; don’t do anything you might regret.

2. Body piercings – Not for the squeamish!
A lot of people express their individuality using piercings on one or more parts of their body. Piercings can vary from the elegant to the bizarre. Earlobe piercings are generally the safest, while tongue and genital piercings carry the highest risk of infection and bleeding. If you got your piercing done at an unregistered practice, then there is a serious risk of blood borne infections (like Hepatitis) from use of un-sterile needles. Scars and painful keloids are another risk. Facial piercings are particularly impulsive and unwise because such piercings can scar your face for life. Tongue piercings can cause speech impediments, and can chip away your tooth enamel. Ear cartilage piercing (in front of the ear) may form a painful abscess which can only be treated by surgical removal of the cartilage. This can permanently deform your ear. Not to mention practical problems like your ring getting stuck in clothing. Or your genital piercing rupturing condoms during sex! Consider your choice with care, and only rely on certified practitioners.

3. Hair straightening creams contain Formaldehyde
Women with straight hair loves curls, and women with wavy hair want poker straight locks. This is old news. But did you know most hair straightening products contain a chemical called Formaldehyde? Even the ones labelled “formaldehyde-free”! Formaldehyde is a sour smelling chemical that can irritate the eyes and nose causing eye watering, breathlessness, itching and rashes when inhaled. What’s even more frightening is that formaldehyde is a carcinogen (cancer-inducing chemical). While salon workers are the worst affected, several U.S based health and safety administrations have issued health warnings on this dangerous chemical. If you want to straighten your hair, use a hair iron instead.

4. Tanning booths are fashionable death beds
No one’s every completely satisfied with the color of their skin. Women of color wish to bleach their skin. And pale skinned women seek the perfect tan. Tanning beds continue to mushroom across the world despite the numerous cautions issued by various health regulatory bodies. The rising incidence of melanoma, the most dreaded of all skin cancers, has been directly linked to the increasing trend of using tanning beds and sunlamps. The industry is driven by teens and youngsters, and consequently, melanoma is now being diagnosed in those as young as 20 or 30. The radiation levels often exceed safety limits. Yet ironically, a tan is considered a sign of good health! Spray-on tans are a health hazard as well. They contain a chemical called dihydroxyacetone (DHA), along with synthetic dyes and fragrances which can be hazardous when inhaled.

5. Fairness creams – Where is the ‘poison’ skull?
Yet another dangerous and completely avoidable beauty bad-habit. Fairness creams containing steroids, hydroquinone or mercury are banned in various countries. But they’re freely available (or smuggled) in several Asian and Middle-Eastern countries, where they do not require a doctor’s prescription and are routinely abused with horrifying side effects. Mercury can cause memory loss, numbness of hands and feet, kidney failure, insomnia and psychiatric disorders. Small amounts of mercury gets absorbed into the blood stream and can even cross the placenta. Imagine the damage it can wreck on the delicate organs of an unborn baby! Even after you stop using the cream, the mercury can stay in your body for a couple of months. Worse, the mercury in the cream reaches breast milk as well, creating side effects to innocent infants. Hydroquinone can cause permanent bleaching, skin irritation and sun sensitivity. Steroid creams are the most frequently abused across the world. These can cause permanent thinning of skin, excessive facial hair, pimples, stretch marks and extreme sun sensitivity. Now these are really unattractive means to achieve attractive looking skin!

6. Cornrows and hair weaves can lead to permanent hair loss
I’ll admit it. Braids and weaves look lovely indeed, and I have been personally tempted on several occasions. However these are fairly expensive styles, which are left unwashed for several days. Which can turn into a serious hygiene horror. But besides this, such hair trends can cause severe damage to your hair roots as well. They lead to a kind of balding called ‘traction alopecia’. The strain on the connective tissue of the scalp can even leave you with headaches and scalp swelling. The good news however is that traction alopecia is reversible. Assuming that you’ve “reversed” the hair situation of course!

7. Permanent make up. a permanent mistake?
Permanent lipstick and lip liner. An artificial mole. Permanent eyeliner and eyebrow tattoos. It might have seemed like a bright idea at the time. But most women go on to regret those high arched eyebrows which don’t suit your face anymore when you’re in your 50’s and the shape of your face has changed. That maroon lip liner might look moronic in THIS decade. A chin mole is no longer in fashion. And pencil thin eyebrows are now dated because thicker eyebrows are suddenly the “in thing”. Colored tattoos like these are impossible to laser away, and most jobs I have seen are badly done. Cosmetic tattoos often have white dye mixed in it to achieve the perfect color. White dye turns instantly black when they’re hit by tattoo removal lasers. Now that’s a fact that most dermatologists are not aware of either. The only thing worse than permanent orange lipstick is permanent black lipstick! Keep this in mind when you’re weighing the pros and cons of getting permanent make up done to your face.

8. Casual use of fashionable colored contact lenses – Don’t you “see” the risks?
Colored contact lenses come in all colors and sometimes in prints and designs as well. The trend is to invest in multiple, cheap and tacky pairs brought off flea markets and malls, so you can have colors and designs to match every outfit. The cheap knock-offs are made of low grade plastic which shut off oxygen and moisture absorption by the corneas. This can lead to corneal tears, injury, infections and even blindness. Contact lenses must be used with care and responsibility. Take the time to get yourself trained in the proper use, care and cleaning of your lenses. Discard them when their time is up. And never, EVER, sleep with your lenses on!

9. Artificial Nails – What’s left of your natural cuticles?
False nails are beautiful and safe when they’re applied by trained professionals and cared for by responsible users. Trouble begins when cheap and poorly fitted acrylic nails are used. These can fester fungal infections, and your natural nails may appear stunted, brittle and dry. The glue used to fix these nails may cause allergic reactions. Many salons use nail glue which contain MMA (Methyl Methacrylate) which is classified as a “poisonous and deleterious substance” by the US FDA. The MMA is generally responsible for the redness and scaling which develops on the skin around the nails. In fact, did you know that a lot of eyelid allergies can be attributed to false nails?
Always get you false nails removed at the salon. Do not attempt to remove them at home; you might end up tearing and splitting your natural nail.

10. Beauty salons can be hotbeds for infection.
Imagine this- Hands and feet soaked in hot tubs shared by dozens of clients in a day. A pedicure brush which was scrapping off invisible fungi and viruses from an infected foot just an hour ago. A waxing stick double and triple dipping in the same hot wax jar used on every client that walked in for a bikini wax that day. A saliva soaked thread pulling out your eyebrows. Every dermatologist knows patients who have ended up with a nail fungus or foot warts after a mani-pedi job. And a lot of women end up with burns or tiny pus filled rashes after a recent waxing. There isn’t much you can do. But you can carry your own mani-pedi instruments to the salon. Insist on the use of disposable gowns and wax strips. Apply antiseptic cream to waxed and threaded skin. And ask your therapist to wear disposable gloves wherever practical. Hospital trips can be painful and expensive, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

There is no shame in aspiring to be beautiful. But be knowledgeable and responsible with your choices. Weigh all the pros and cons before you chose any beauty fad that will permanently alter your appearance. Or which could potentially scar you for life. Health and hygiene concerns must ALWAYS come before vanity. If you have enjoyed reading this article, then go to www.facebook.com/yourfamilydermatologist and click ‘Like’ for more interesting snippets on skin, hair and nail care for all members of the family.